Current Conditions:
The Upper Madison is still producing great days of fishing. Early morning streamer fishing has been solid but short lived once the sun gets higher. Browns are just beginnging to get colored up and streamer action should become more consistent as we move forward. Terrestrial fishing is always worth a shot with hoppers and ants can still produce on warmer days in the afternoons. Stonefly imitations have been producing for the nymphing anglers in a wide variety of patterns and are best trailed by a smaller beadhead or emerger pattern in a size 18 or 16.
The Month Ahead:
The upper will continue to fish well over the next few weeks. Now that the summer heat is behind us and the pulse flows on the Lower river are not needed expect the Upper river flows to drop back to base levels around between 900-1000cfs. This tends to compress the river a bit so look for fish to concentrate around subtle river features that provide some protection such as rock wells and deeper runs. As water temperatures continue to drop expect fish to move out of the skinny riffles into more deliberate holding water.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The Upper Madison is one of our fall favorites. With three lakes that interconnect with the river some larger than average trout will move out of the stillwaters into the river in October.
